Match of the Millennials – USA vs. The World

2/23/2017 – There's going to be an extraordinary event in July in Saint Louis: eight American players will face some of the best juniors from around the world – four players under 17, two boys under 14 and two girls under 14 years old. "An extra-ordinary opportunity for the best juniors, both Americans and World, to test their skills and fighting spirit in a prestigious event," said GM Efstratios Grivas, who will be one of the trainers selecting the World Delegation.

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Match of the Millennials – USA vs. The World

26-29 July, 2017 – Press release

America’s Most Talented Juniors Challenge the World to a Chess MatchFive prominent chess organizations are partnering to bring the Match of the Millennials to Saint Louis

ST. LOUIS, February 22, 2017 – The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis (CCSCSL), in cooperation with the Kasparov Chess Foundation (KCF), U.S. Chess Federation, World Chess Federation (FIDE) and FIDE Trainers’ Commission are proud to announce the Match of the Millennials. Hosted at the CCSCSL from July 26th through the 29th, eight American players will face some of the best juniors from around the world.

“The Match of the Millennials will be the first event for which these five organizations have partnered,” said CCSCSL Executive Director Tony Rich. “I am excited that our collaboration will bring a new major event to the 2017 calendar.”

Teams will be selected and announced on July 15th and will consist of four players under 17, two boys under 14 and two girls under 14 years old. The four players under 17 years old will face each member of the opposing team in two game matches, while the under 14 players will similarly play two-game matches against their two corresponding opponents.

“An extra-ordinary opportunity for the best juniors U.17 & U.14, both Americans and World, to test their skills and fighting spirit in a prestigious event,” said GM Efstratios Grivas, Secretary of the FIDE Trainers' Commission and head of the World Delegation. “The organizers are extremely experienced and I feel that this would be a great event; something that should constantly be held.”

In addition to the bragging rights, teams will be vying for top honors and the $30,000 prize fund. The winning team will receive $20,000, while the runner-up will receive $10,000. Prizes will be split evenly should the match end in a tie. The prize fund is sponsored by the Saint Louis Chess Club, whose impact over the last ten years has transformed American chess.

About The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint LouisThe Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that is committed to making chess an important part of our community. In addition to providing a forum for the community to play tournaments and casual games, the Club also offers chess improvement classes, beginner lessons and special lectures. Recognizing the cognitive and behavioral benefits of chess, the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is committed to supporting those chess programs that already exist in area schools while encouraging the development of new in-school and after-school programs. For more information, visit www.saintlouischessclub.org.

About the U.S. Chess FederationThe US Chess Federation (US Chess) is the official governing body and not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization for chess players and chess supporters in the United States. Our mission is to empower people through chess one move at a time. Our vision is to enrich the lives of all persons and communities through increasing the play, study, and appreciation of the game of chess. For more information, visit www.uschess.org.

About the Kasparov Chess FoundationFounded by World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, KCF’s mission is to bring the many educational benefits of chess to children worldwide by providing a complete chess curriculum and enrichment programs. The Foundation promotes the study of chess as a cognitive learning tool in curricular classes and after-school programs for elementary, middle and high schools, both in the public and private school sectors. The not-for-profit Foundation also organizes regional, national, and worldwide tournaments, programs for talented students, and promotional chess events. For more information, visit www.kasparovchessfoundation.org.

About the World Chess FederationFounded in Paris on 20 July 1924, the World Chess Federation (Federation Internationale des Echecs, known as FIDE from its French acronym) was recognized by the International Olympic Committee as an International Sports Federation in 1999. With 188 member federations, FIDE is among the biggest sports organizations in the world, very proud of over forty official championships for youngsters, men, women and seniors. For more information, visit www.fide.com.

About the FIDE Trainers’ CommissionThe FIDE Trainers’ Commission is responsible for testing and licensing of chess trainers worldwide. For more information, visit trainers.fide.com.

See also

8/27/2018 – Live games and commentary from Saint Louis! Fabiano Caruana, Magnus Carlsen and Levon Aronian tied for first place, while Caruana also tied for fourth place in the Grand Chess Tour standings with Wesley So, forcing a playoff match to be held on Tuesday. | Graphic: Saint Louis Chess Club

See also

7/28/2017 – Part of a "summer of chess" at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, the Match of the Millennials, is a wonderful idea, pitting top US Juniors against a selection of international juniors representing the ‘World’ team. The US brings some of it hottest names such as Jeffery Xiong, Samuel Sevian, and Awonder Liang, while the World includes Praggnanandhaa, Bibisara Assaubayeva, and more. At the midway point, here is the illustrated report. | Photo: Lennart Ootes

Video

The Elephant Gambit (1.e4.e5 2.Nf3 d5!?) has never really been given the attention it deserves. It is a very useful surprise weapon. Let us list the advantages of playing this particular opening: 1) Shock value 2) It is very aggressive. Black can take over the initiative early. 3) Many tricky lines 4) Unorthodox. Black is basically taking the game to the opponent as early as move two. Not many openings do that! It's a perfect opening for young players and club players to adopt. Let Andrew Martin select a repertoire for you on this 60 mins, which, if used with discretion, will rack up the points. I am sure that you will enjoy this unusual tour of the Elephant Gambit.

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